I want to add to my previous post regarding the beautiful love I witnessed last week between an Israeli Arab mother and an Israeli Jewish mother in the battered town of Sderot by noting the lessons I learned at that event about touching the hearts of Israelis.
I am a fairly reserved, though straight-forward person, so I am not always comfortable in the presence of dramatic Christian expressions of faith. I will qualify that by noting that I am not critical of such displays - if God found favor with David wildly dancing in his underwear in the presence of His ark, then clearly there is nothing wrong with such behavior.
Anyway, since I am personally perhaps a little too bashful to act out in such a way myself, I always feared that the Israelis we were visiting during these Feast of Tabernacles outings were viewing the group as a bunch of mentally-disturbed nut-jobs. I always feared that instead of providing comfort, the brightly colored biblical-style clothing, the waving banners and the chorus of shofars were instead eliciting internal chuckles of disdain.
While a handful of Israelis may indeed view the Feast groups in such a way, I discovered in Sderot that most, especially in locations where Israelis are hurting most, are touched to the core by this bizarre-looking and unfamiliar outpouring of love.
As the group marched down the streets of Sderot, rather than being put off by the costumes, flags and shofars, Israeli pedestrians were clapping, mothers were coming out of their homes weeping and motorists blocked by our procession were honking and cheering.
Last Friday I witnessed hundreds of Israelis being deeply touched, being comforted by hundreds of Christians that most would write off as “freaks.” (Sadly, I have heard even fellow believers here in Jerusalem refer to the participants in this event in such derogatory terms.)
So, while donating money to causes in Israel or saying prayers for the Jewish state are all well and good, if you want to really, directly touch the hearts of Israelis where they are, then you need to get to Israel and join these “freaks” as they bring the love of our Lord to a hurting and thirsty nation.
For more information on the annual Christian Zionist Feast of Tabernacles celebration and the International Christian Zionist Center, visit Israel My Beloved.
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12 comments so far ↓
1 Ed // Sep 30, 2007 at 4:57 pm
I am pretty much with you on not wanting to be a public spectacle. I used to dance at Arthur Murray, but that was in my early twenties. I also do not use movements that are suggestive. What David did was not my style. However, it was not up to Michal to rebuke him. I am rather reserved in how I dress. Not much of me is showing unless I go out without my shirt on to get some sun vitamin D.
I would see David in the position of being elated as he had been in rebellion against GOD for sometime. I have been there in my younger years as well. It annoys me to think back to those time. I want to love GOD with all my strength. It comes hard for a guy that was not raised in love even though my Mother was a loving woman. Why I missed out on the love, I do not understand.
I am desperatly trying to make up for that.
2 Al // Sep 30, 2007 at 9:15 pm
What a testimony by the Arab Christian woman who was willing to stand with that Israeli woman! Reminds me of another Gentile woman by the name of Ruth who stood with a Jewish woman by the name of Naomi during a time of great duress and summed it up perfectly- “Your people will be my people and your God will be my God”.
I would like to encourage both of you my brothers and anyone else who may have difficulty expressing themselves by something that just happened to me last night. My family attended a Sukkot celebration right here in the town where we live. The musicians had just finished with their scheduled songs. I walked up to the lead singer and asked if they were familiar with a particular song, “I will talk to my brothers” by Joel Chernoff of Lamb. Instead of being able to step back and listen to them sing it, I got sucked behind the microphone and started singing the song. They really didn’t know the words except for one person but they felt I should lead it. I do not consider myself to be a singer. But somehow the Ruach HaKodesh(Holy Spirit) came upon me and I found myself singing this song which ended up being a huge encouragement to those that were there.
All this to say, let’s not be afraid to proclaim to the world especially when we are assembled together as believers about how great our God is. He deserves to be praised. If we participate together, where two or more are gathered in His Name, He will make His Shekinah presence manifest. So I encourage you with the very words we sang last night.
I will talk to my brothers about God my Father and together we’ll sing His praises.
I will talk to my brothers about God my Father and together we’ll sing His praises.
Together we will sing His praises, Hallelujah!
Together we will sing His praises, Hallelujah!
Lai, lai, lai, Hallelujah
Lai, lai, lai, Hallelujah
Lai, lai, lai, Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah
Be encouraged. He is the Mighty One of Israel. The day is coming when those in Eretz Yisrael will look upon Him Who was pierced and after mourning over the realization that He is the Messiah, they will proclaim with one voice, ” Baruch Haba B’Shem Adonai”
It will be our cry as well .
Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord.
In Messiah,
Al
3 Marsha Carol Watson // Oct 1, 2007 at 2:31 am
I came to understand, some years ago, that just as God created each of us unique and different…so He created in each of us different personalities. With those personalities in us, we each react differently when the Holy Spirit moves in us and on us.
Some can only weep…..others clap hands….others cheer loudly…still others jump about what may seem wildly….and some seem to just feel the need to run!….Honestly, there have been a few times, when the joy of the LORD has been so strong on me that I had the desire to “run the church benches!” (I didn’t—but the desire was strong on me!!!!!)
On December 4, 1999, when I heard the Holy Spirit speak in an audible voice to comfort me in a time of deep hurt and distress: He said to me: “Why art thou cast down O my soul; hope thou in God.”
I had never experienced anything like that in my life! I begun running through our home, shouting, raising my hands an praising the LORD. I even opened each closet door and shouted Praises.
So, we are all different and wonderfully made. We will each just be what He made us to be, and act accordingly, as we live daily in obedience.
Wouldn’t it be a dull world if we were all the same. “He doeth all things well.”
4 Darnell Clayton // Oct 2, 2007 at 4:14 am
I guess I am going to have to plan on visiting Israel sometime next year (instead of putting the trip off for silly excuses).
Do you know of any great hotels we can visit/stay at without breaking the bank?
5 down with israel // Oct 5, 2007 at 8:21 pm
down with israel.down with zionist.holocaust is a big lie
6 keke // Oct 5, 2007 at 8:22 pm
hi israel
7 Sheila Dale // Oct 6, 2007 at 11:57 am
I read with great joy this news article; I was one of the several hundred who marched that day in Sderot. There are no words to describe the incredible outpouring of love from we who call ourselves Christians, and the incredible reception we received from the people of Sderot. This was my first time to celebrate Feast of Tabernacles in Israel, although I’ve been to Israel several times.
One personal story I would like to relate happened later that night in front of my apartment complex. I have been blessed to be renting an apartment in Jerusalem. A man standing outside was placing used books around a stone planter encircling a large tree at the corner of the complex. He was a religious Jew dressed all in white and wearing a white kippa. I thought this was strange as it was the Sabbath and already dark.
Before entering my gated area to the coplex I stopped to see what kind of books he was leaving. There was nothing of interest to me,
and some were written in French. But, I really felt impressed to start
a conversation with this man. “Nice evening….are you enjoying the Holiday?” Niceties of conversation soon came into a more political discussion about giving away land for peace. I suspect that was because I’m from the U.S. I assured him that not all Americans wanted Israel divided, which gave me the opportunity to show him my orange band which I wear all the time. On the band is the imprint “www.JewishIsrael.org Gush Katif & Shomron Forever!”
All the while we were talking this dear man was smiling and his eyes twinkling! He was so happy!! Then he told me he saw on the Internet earlier in the day that several hundred - there were 500 in all - Christians were marching in Sderot. (Can you imagine the joy to these dear citizens of Sderot when they saw TEN packed tourist busses pull into their community and all of us dressed in various national costumes and waving flags from our countries as well as the Israeli flag?)
When this gentleman asked this questions all I could do was raise my hand high to the sky and exclaim, “Yes, Yes! I was there!” And anyone who knows me knows I’m one of those demonstrative types….so I started jumping up and down with excitement. He wanted to know why we would come from so far to march in Sderot so I told him of the love that hundreds of thousands of Christians around the world have for Israel. How we pray for their protection and write letters to our governments on behalf of Israel; how we believe in the G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; how we believe in the Hebrew scriptures; how we want to comfort the People of Israel; how we will stand with Israel even when every nation turns against them!
By this time, this preciouse Jewish man was over-taken with joy and excitement too! Then suddenly he seemed aware of the time and hurried off into the darkness. What a privilege to comfort Israel and bless them. I know we made a difference that day. Come to Israel! Be a blessing!
8 Ryan // Oct 6, 2007 at 1:27 pm
Sheila - Thank you so much for sharing that! That very much completed what I was trying to say in the article. So nice to have the personal take of another who participated in that blessed event.
9 Al // Oct 6, 2007 at 3:54 pm
Sheila,
Great job! May that man and many others find their Messiah because of what you, Ryan and all the others that were there that day did.
In Messiah Yeshua,
-Al
10 Isaiah53 // Oct 11, 2007 at 9:43 am
I was on my way to bed for the night (it’s 12:30 am here in California) I just thought I’d read a couple of posts that I hadn’t had time for today. I’m so glad that I did. I just want to say how blessed I feel after reading the posts from everyone. Only one problem; I can’t see clearly with all the water that seems to be running from my eyes. Must be allergies….
Oh Heavenly Father, You are so good and you continually bless us with your love. Oh Abba, Please watch over and care for your people as you have promised. I pray for the Peace that only you can provide in Your Holy City, Jerusalem and Throughout the Nation of Israel.
11 KarenMarie // Nov 18, 2007 at 2:03 pm
Well here went G-d again causing me to ‘trip’ over finding this article. As a matter of fact in having spoken with Ryan recently via email, I thought the site zionist.com was going to be on ‘leave so to speak’ due to Ryan’s busy, busy schedule.
Long story short - I literally felt ‘led’ to go to his site anyway today. G-d does this (leads) quite splendidly and I so love it when He ’causes’ me to get right where I need to be at the time. :)
How totally timely in terms of what I have been praying moreso about over the past week. First and foremost, I need say the lead article which found so many sincere responses was just wonderful. It was real and full of sincere heart - and for me to see this is a great refreshement!
Over the past week I found myself in prayer and in the Spirit walking the streets of Israel - moreso in Jerusalem because I think that is the area my heart best identifies with. Anyway, as I walked, it was as if the L-rd was causing me to have conversations with the ‘brokenhearted’ in Jerusalem.
Then in the Spirit the L-rd said to me - there are so many brokenhearted and it is these people who are most touched by the love of believers. I also felt the L-rd telling me that the depth of love the brokenhearted felt was on a ’soul’ level - that is how deeply it ran - right down to their souls with each individual unique and beautiful before the L-rds own heart.
I was also deeply impressed with the thought in my heart and soul that the brokenhearted were so thirsty and that when a drink (real and unfeigned love) was given to them, they would receive it immediately and with great joy.
Now having read this today - it is a confirmation of having been in Israel walking the streets in the Spirit. To what full measure of end - I do not know. But what I do know is that people in Israel have been blessed by those who have stepped out regardless of what something looks like.
For many years now I have gone in the Spirit so to speak to many biblical events of times past with the L-rd. One of those places concerns the ‘raw emotions’ that many biblical people displayed as they experienced events in life - joy - deep sorrow - anguish of soul and yes, even anger.
I so quickly identified with the ‘raw emotions’ many people like Abraham expressed while bemoaning Ishmael’s place before the L-rd, King David dancing and leaping for joy - his depth of anguish and sorrow when his child died, the disciple John as he laid his head upon the breast of Messiah…
While this might sound really weird - it was if I was there and watching upon the raw emotions as they unfolded very naturally - and it was in this place that my own soul just identified as though I were sharing a oneness with these people.
See next post for conclusion…:)
12 KarenMarie // Nov 18, 2007 at 2:20 pm
Continued from post above…
Recently I was part witness to a situation where a mentally retarded woman was prevented from sharing her heart and thoughts around a deeply grievious situation she was placed in. As I sat in a board room meeting with many ‘upstanding professionals’ in the community there to address the ‘best interests’ of this woman, I couldn’t help but feel that a stifling repression was binding the hearts, souls and spirits of these people.
What was saddest about all this in the end result was that the disabled woman was ‘put in her place - silenced quickly’ as was her sister - though both were only coming from a sincere and heartfelt position.
Their behavior so it was quickly determined, was ‘inappropriate’ - ‘uncalled’ for - and totally not appreciated. I thought to myself and prayed to G-d - this L-rd is the most wretched thing I have seen in a long time. The disabled woman’s life was hanging in the balance - and not one person there who was commissioned to look out for her ‘overall’ best interests could see that her expression of emotions and soul served her best interest in the very time and place she was in.
Long story short this situation once again caused me to be reminded of the very deep - deep repression people live in. This repression running wild and amuck in it’s own curtailing ways, saturates the very being of so many countless people. And it is sad - and binding and denies the very life breathe of our living G-d.
And now though I could continue at length - I need go. I will depart with a prayer in the name of our Messiah asking - imploring and beseeching that the Spirit of the L-rd’s true liberty work mightly and speedily to set the captives free in Israel and in every place where the wisdom, joy, and love of our G-d is being bound up. Amen - And So Be It. :)
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